Paperboard container for extinguishing and disposal of lighted cigarettes

ABSTRACT

A lightweight paperboard container for the disposal of a lighted cigarette includes (a) an open-top drawer with a lid at one end that receives a lighted cigarette in a longitudinal channel in close-fitting relation; and (b) an open-ended case or box that receives the drawer in close-fitting sliding relation and, when the drawer is fully inserted into the box, quickly smothers and extinguishes the lit cigarette remains without scorching or excessive heating. The drawer preferably has two or more parallel channels, each about the length of a cigarette, so that a plurality of extinguished cigarette remains can be stored in the smoker&#39;s pocket or handbag pending the opportunity for their proper disposal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to personal container for extinguishing andretaining extinguished cigarettes for use by smokers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Improper cigarette disposal is the most common form of littering in theworld. Cigarette littering has many negative impacts on the public, mostof them environmental. Among the biggest and hardest impacts ofcigarette littering are pollution, and maintenance and clean-up costs.

Pollution is the worst effect caused by cigarette littering. Cigarettebutts can be easily carried by water and even wind. These butts are thencarried into rivers, lakes and the oceans. Cigarette butts thrown in thewild or carried into the streams by rain and wind do not degrade easily.

About 95% of all cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate whichis a form of plastic. There is much misinformation about cigarettefilters. A major public misunderstanding is that cigarette filters arebiodegradable. By definition, biodegradable means that a material iscapable of decaying through the action of a living organism. Therefore,cigarette butts do not biodegrade. They are degraded by sunlight anderosion agents like rain and wind. Although no studies have been foundabout the subject, it is believed that it takes between 8 and 30 yearsfor a cigarette filter tip to degrade. The time will vary depending onthe weather, temperature and light conditions.

Various studies and anecdotal reports indicate that cigarette-relateddebris, and particularly filter tips, constitute significant proportionsof litter washed up along sea shores and other bodies of water and thatcigarette debris clean-up efforts consume the time of maintenancepersonnel employed by businesses, institutions and municipalities.

It can be expected that the problem will continue to increase withcigarette world production data indicating significant growth. Anabstract of the data for world-wide cigarette production developed bythe U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Bureau of Census and quotedin “Vital Signs 2005” published by WorldWatch Institute, is as follows.

Cigarette World Production Data 1950 1,686 billion 1960 2,150 billion1970 3,112 billion 1980 4,388 billion 1990 5,419 billion 2000 5,609billion 2001 5,643 billion 2002 5,602 billion 2003 5,662 billion 20045,530 billion (prelim.)

It has been indicated by some studies that between 40% and 50% of allthe cigarettes consumed worldwide are discarded improperly. Taking thesmaller figure, this would translate into 2,212 billion (2.12 trillion)cigarettes littered in 2004.

The main reason why people litter with improperly discarded cigarettebutts is because they do not consider throwing cigarette remains on thestreet, on a beach or in the wild to be littering. People who wouldnever improperly discard a soda can, a paper cup or even a gum wrapper,will toss a cigarette butt without remorse.

The second most common reason why people discard cigarette butts aslitter is the ban on smoking indoors, combined with the lack of ashtrayson the outside of malls, banks and stores.

Although it has been suggested that more ashtrays on the outside ofmalls, banks and stores, educational campaigns, peer pressure,enforcement of anti-littering laws and even a ban on smoking outdoorscould be the solution for the cigarette littering problem, includingmeans for their proper disposal with the sale of cigarettes wouldprovide a solution for this problem.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide alightweight, inexpensive, compact container for use by smokers to safelyextinguish a cigarette and also to retain one or more extinguishedcigarette remains for proper disposal.

It is also an object of the invention to provide smokers with aconvenient, compact and readily portable container that can be carriedon their person to avoid the discarding of cigarette remains on streetsand sidewalks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container that can beused to extinguish and retain cigarette remains that can be produced bycigarette manufacturers using existing equipment and known techniquesand which can be distributed with packages and boxes of cigarettes forretail sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objects and other advantages are achieved by the presentinvention which is directed to a lightweight paperboard container forthe disposal of lighted cigarettes that comprises (a) an open-top drawerthat receives a lighted cigarette in a close-fitting longitudinalchannel and (b) an open-ended case or box that receives the drawer insliding relation and, when enclosed in the case or the box, quicklysmothers and extinguishes the lit cigarette without scorching orexcessive heating. The drawer preferably has at least two parallelchannels, each about the length of a cigarette so that a plurality ofextinguished cigarette ends can be stored pending the opportunity fortheir proper disposal.

The case and the drawer can be of simple rectilinear design. Preferably,each component is formed from a single sheet of paper stock that hasbeen dyed cut from a larger sheet and folded into the desiredconfiguration by automated equipment that is well known in thebox-making and packaging art. The case can be a simple, open-endedsleeve or it can be constructed with a close end.

The tolerances between the sliding components are such that there willbe a frictional fit that retains the drawer inside of the case when itis inserted and will also hold the drawer in a partially open positionto facilitate the easy placement of the lighted cigarette and in one ofthe longitudinal receiving channels. These will be apparent the numberof cigarette ends that can be accommodated will depend upon whether thecigarette is plain or filter tipped, as well as the extent to which theuser has consumed the original length of tobacco. Because of thedurability of the container of the present invention and itseffectiveness in rapidly extinguishing a lighted cigarette end, thecontents of the container can be disposed of in a proper receptacle whenit is full and used for the remaining cigarettes in the pack.

A wide variety of paper and paperboard materials can be used, includingthose typically used in forming the conventional flip-top cigarette boxthat is in common and widespread use throughout the world.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container of the inventionhas a height and width that is approximately equal to that of a standardcigarette package, whether it be a soft pack or flip-top box. This willpermit the container to be distributed by releasably attaching it to theedge surface of the cigarette package and, preferably, wrapping thecombination in cellophane for retail sales. This combination of acigarette package and means for the ecologically acceptable disposal ofthe cigarette ends can serve to enhance the goodwill of the brand. Formany smokers, it will also provide a convenient means for disposal ofthe cigarette ends where none previously existed.

In a second embodiment, the container is formed with the cigarette boxfrom a unitary blank and shares one or more common panel elements withthe cigarette package.

In another embodiment of the invention, the drawer is received in anappropriately dimensioned flip-top or hinged-lid box that is of the samegeneral, construction, but smaller than a corresponding flip-topcigarette box that is well known in the cigarette packaging arts. As inthe previously-described embodiment employing a close-fitting sleeve,the drawer is configured with at least one, but preferably two or morechannels into which a lighted cigarette can be placed and then quicklyslid into the box and the top closed to smother and extinguish thecigarette.

Numerous methods of preparing blanks and folding and gluing them to formflip-top cigarette boxes and containers have been disclosed in thepatent literature. When closed, the box lid forms a close-fitting sealwith the adjacent front and sidewall elements of the box. When adoptedfor use in the present invention, the small volume of oxygen in theclosed case is rapidly consumed by the burning tobacco and the heatedvolume of combustion gases in the box prevents the incursion of ambientair. Prompt action by the user of inserting the drawer and moving thelid into contact with the upper of edge of the case prevents thetemperature of the paperboard adjacent the lighted end of the cigarettefrom reaching its ignition point, and avoids scorching of the paperboardconstruction material.

The object of the invention to provide a disposable, temporary ashtraythat can be attached to every cigarette package so that smokers have theopportunity to correctly dispose of cigarette butts when not withinreach of an ashtray is thus provided. Moreover, the container of theinvention is inexpensive to produce and can itself be recycled as apaper product.

The dimensions of the case or sleeves, which holds the slide, arepreferably the same as those of the lateral side of a standard cigarettebox. The slide consist of two channels that tightly hold up to twocigarette butts each in a way that the butts are secured. To facilitatethe storing of the butts and later disposal, the slide retracts from thecase in a free but firm manner and has a folding mechanism that furtherhelps in the extraction of the butts.

In describing the invention, it is to be understood that the terms case,sleeve and box are used interchangeably to refer to the outer portion ofthe container and that the terms sleeve and slide are interchangeablyused to refer to the portion that receives the cigarette ends.

Providing ashtrays in the form of the containers of the invention withthe sales of cigarettes can provide a crucial step into solving thelittering problem. Although results will not show immediately due to astrongly formed habit of “tossing the butt”, it can become a “normal”step for a smoker to extinguish the cigarette end in the ashbox of theinvention and dispose of it correctly when the time comes. Even a smallpercentage of success would mean millions of cigarette remains properlydisposed of each year.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in further detail below and withreference to the attached drawings in which the same or similar elementsare referred to by the same numbers, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a smoker with a freshly lighted cigarette;

FIG. 2 is a top, front and right side perspective view of one embodimentof a disposal container of the invention showing the placement of alighted cigarette end for disposal;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, right side perspective view of the disposalcontainer shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 4-4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a user stowing the closed disposalcontainer in the pocket of a garment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 6-6 of FIG. 5showing two cigarettes disposed in close-fitting relation inside of theclosed container;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a die-cut blank used to produce the slidedrawer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a blank used to produce the box of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a top, front end and right side perspective view of a secondembodiment of a slide drawer constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a front, right side perspective view, partially in phantom,of yet another embodiment of the invention with the open slide drawerflexed to facilitate removal of the extinguished cigarette ends andshowing its positioning for attachment to a cigarette package.

FIG. 11 is a front, right side perspective view of another embodiment ofa disposal container in accordance with the invention that is flexed inthe open position;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12 of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which thedrawer has a single channel;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a blank for use in assembling a cigarettebox with an integral disposal container;

FIG. 15 is a top, front perspective view of cigarette package andintegral disposal container of the invention produced from the blank ofFIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a fragment of a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG.15 taken along line 16-16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it has been observed that during thecourse of smoking, a cigarette 1, whether plain or filter-tipped, istypically reduced to a length ranging from two to four centimeters, atwhich point the smoker desires to dispose of the unextinguished remainsor cigarette butt. In accordance with the present invention, alightweight paperboard container 10 for the disposal of lightedcigarettes includes (a) an open-top drawer 20 that receives the lightedcigarette in a close-fitting longitudinal channel and (b) an open-endedcase or box 50. The rectilinear box 50 has an open end 52 and is closedat its opposite end by panel 54 and is formed with sidewalls 56 and topand bottom walls 58 and 60, respectively.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the drawer 20 is provided with a pair ofparallel open channels 22 separated by a hollow partition member 24 thatextends from lid 30 to the opposing distal end 32. In this embodiment,each of the channels 22 is able to accommodate a plurality of cigaretteends until a proper disposal facility can be found by the smoker. Theouter side walls 26 and dividing walls 23 are optionally, butpreferably, provided with transversely aligned diagonal slits or cuts 28which permit the intermediate sections to be folded away from each otherwhen the bottom panel 40 is flexed, thereby defining a generally arcuatestructure, which is best shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 and which will bedescribed in more detail below.

The lid or closure 30 is preferably formed from at least two layers ofthe lightweight paperboard stock from which the box 50 and drawer 20 arefabricated. Since this element is subjected to repeated gripping betweenthe user's fingers and thumb during opening and closing, the preferredstructure provides additional reinforcement. In the preferred embodimentillustrated, the lid is of folded construction, integral with the restof the drawer, and requires no adhesive.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated yet anotherpreferred embodiment of the cigarette disposal container of theinvention. In this bottom view, the bottom wall 60 is preferably die-cutwith a pair of rectangular tabs 62 that are depressed inwardly along afold line 64 so that they are predisposed to engage the respectivebottom walls 40 in sliding relation as the drawer 20 is moved in and outof case 50. The distal end of drawer 20 is provided with a correspondingpair of tabs 42 which are folded along lines 44 and are outwardlydisposed to contact the interior surface of bottom wall 60 when thedrawer is moved in and out of box 50. As best shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the respective leading edges of tabs 42and 62 are aligned longitudinally so that they engage and prevent thedrawer 20 from being removed from box 50 under normal conditions of use.

Again with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 10, the lateral incisions orslits 28 in sidewalls 26 are at an acute angle, preferably about 45degrees, in order to prevent the sliding drawer from jamming orotherwise engaging the end of case 50 when it is withdrawn or inserted.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the disposalcontainer 10 having a plurality of extinguished cigarette ends can besafely and sanitarily stored in the user's shirt pocket or otherconvenient location until a proper disposal facility is identified. Inthe cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the close-fitting relationship ofthe parallel channels 22 with respect to the cross-sectional diameter ofthe cigarette and of the drawer 20 inside of case 50 will be seen.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, theconstruction of the sliding drawer 20 and the rectilinear, open-endedbox or case 50 can be completed using a wide variety of die-cut blankdesigns and automated folding machines. The art of box making, andparticularly, cigarette boxes, hinged-lid or flip top boxes, and thelike are very well known.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a die-cut blank of light-weightpaperboard stock suitable for folding and assembly into the drawer 20for use as previously described.

The assembly of the slide drawer 20 proceeds in the following stepwisefashion. It will be understood that the fold lines are identified in thefigures by “dash-dot” lines. The solid lines on the interior of thedie-cut blank represent slits that are required to define variousinterior elements and also die-cut openings used to facilitate foldingand the interlocking of the folded flaps.

The flaps 250 make up the front section of lid 30. The sequence offolding proceeds with elements 200, 202, 204, and 206 followed by theinsertion of the flaps 208 into the centrally positioned die-cut opening212. The outer portion of the cap 30 is thus formed without the need forgluing, thereby simplifying the assembly steps and making the assemblymore economical. In this regard, it is noted that tab 208 is separatedalong line 209 and is also trimmed by removing portion 210 in order toprovide a retaining shoulder when tab 208 is inserted into slot 212.Flaps 42 are bent downwardly or away from the interior of the slidedrawer along fold lines 44 so as to provide sliding contact and eventualengagement with corresponding flaps 62 in the case or box 50, as wasdescribed above.

Continuing with the assembly steps, flaps 252 are inserted into thedie-cut opening 24 to form the inside front portion of the cap and flaps254 are folded towards the cap. Flaps 27 are folded inwardly over flaps254 and secured in place with flap 200 which rests on top of, andsecures flaps 27 and 254. Next, flap 202 is folded down towards thefront and covers flaps 250 of the slide drawer to form the front portionof cap 30. Flaps 204 are folded to the back of the cap to form thesidewalls of the cap and flaps 206 are folded to the back to form andenclose the rear of the cap 30; they are secured by insertion of flaps209 into the die-cut opening 212 to lock them. This completes theassembly of the slide drawer 20. Flaps 42 are depressed to arm the stopmechanism.

Although not specifically required, the use of glue or other means ofbonding of the various is optional and may be desired if it is intendedby the marketer that the disposal container be useful for a prolongedperiod of time. As presently contemplated, the container would bedistributed to smokers with the purchase of a pack of cigarettes anddiscarded when the contents of the pack had been consumed.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the folding and assembly of the box or case 50will be described. It will be noted that blank 50 is die-cut tofacilitate its assembly and also the eventual interactive functioning ofthe case with the slide drawer 20 during opening and closing. Forexample, the opposing ends 57 of side walls 56 are die-cut at an anglethat corresponds to the angle of the side walls of lid 30 in order toprovide a close-fitting relation contact between these elements in theclosed position. Tab 55 and the distal portion of side wall section 56Aare die-cut, e.g., at 59 in accordance with well known techniques tofacilitate folding by removing excess material. The distal portion ofbottom wall 60 is also formed into a tapered end section 66 to minimizeinterference with the bottom portions of slide drawer 20 during closing.The case side walls 56 are folded at 90 degree angles to the top andbottom walls 58 and 60, and end flaps 55 are folded inwardly. Glue canbe applied to the opposing surfaces of one or both of the opposingsidewalls and to flap 55 and the box 50 is formed by folding along thelines defining end wall 54.

As noted above, other configurations for constructing the retainingsleeve or case 50 for receiving the slide drawer 20 will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art by applying established methods andbox-forming machines. The entire process for die-cuting the respectiveblanks and forming of the case 50 and slide drawer 20 can be fullyautomated for mass production in the manner that cigarette packaging isproduced.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a further preferredembodiment in which three channels 22 are provided for theextinguishment and storage of cigarette ends, these channels beingdefined by a pair of longitudinally extending partitions 24 having topwalls 24A. The layout of the blanks for both the slide drawer 20 and thecase 50 are similar to those described above for the two-channelcontainer and are well within the skill of the art.

Referring to FIG. 10, the container of the invention is shown with theslide drawer extended and flexed rearwardly along parting lines 28. Thisconfiguration is particularly useful when the container 10 is attachedto the side wall of a cigarette package 100 as is shown in the phantomportion of FIG. 10. The container 10 is preferably secured using areleasable adhesive 90 applied to either or both of the package 100 orcontainer 10 at one or more positions. As will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, the particular alignment of the container onthe cigarette pack, and the means of attachment can be varied whilestill maintaining the utility of the combination. The cigarette packagecan be a conventional soft pack or flip top box and can be individuallywrapped in the cellophane in the conventional manner, or the cellophanecan be applied to the assembly of the cigarette package and the disposalcontainer 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a further embodiment is illustrated inwhich a total of six channels 23 are provided in the slide drawer 20. Asbest shown in the sectional view of FIG. 12 taken along section line12-12, the partition walls are formed by a double thickness of the paperboard 21 that define the channels 23. As will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, the layout of the blank for the slide drawerof this embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 9 above, with theexception that the body portion that defines the channels and dividingwalls will be somewhat wider and that the top portion 24A of partition24 is eliminated.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 13 in which a single centralchannel 23 is provided between 2 hollow side wall members 24 constructedsimilarly to the central dividing member 24 shown in FIG. 2. Theembodiment will accommodate two to four cigarette remains and can beproduced in a narrower width than the previous embodiments.

Reference is made to FIG. 14 which is a plan view depicting oneembodiment of a paperboard blank suitable for producing a unitaryflip-top cigarette box in combination with a disposal container of theinvention. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the interior solid lines identify die-cuts and the broken linesidentify fold lines. The elements of the cigarette box 100 areidentified as follows: top portion 102, back panel 104, side walls 106,bottom panel 108, and front panel 110. The contiguous blank portion ofthe drawer 50 is identified by the same element numbers as used in FIGS.2-4, above. The additional flap 65 joined along fold line 62 to thefront portion 110 of the cigarette package will be described in moredetail in connection with the views of the assembly in FIGS. 15 and 16.It is to be noted that the tab 62 joined along fold line 64 to flap 65serves a function similar to those correspondingly numbered tabs shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 above. Referring now to the assembly view of FIG. 15,it will be seen that the disposal container has been folded intoposition on the left side of the cigarette package and that the forwardside wall of modified container 10 is contiguous with, and forms aunitary face with the front panel of cigarette package 100. As shown inthe phantom view of drawer 20, and best illustrated in the enlargedcross-sectional view of FIG. 16, the flap 62 slides along the adjacentbottom of drawer 20 until it engages the corresponding projectingflap(s) 42. Thus, a stop mechanism is provided that functions insubstantially the same manner as that described in detail above inconnection with the illustrations of FIGS. 3 and 4.

As will apparent from the various illustrative embodiments describedabove, the interior construction and configuration of slide drawer 20can be varied to accommodate perceived consumer needs and desires andalso for purposes of marketing. By providing close-fitting tolerancesbetween the interior of the case 50 and the drawer 20, as well as thelid 30, a substantially airtight container is achieved. As explainedabove, the absence of oxygen to support combustion of the ignitedtobacco rapidly leads to its extinguishment. When constructed inaccordance with the description, the container materials will not reachignition temperatures and will not rise to a level that would causediscomfort to the user.

The following description of the types of paper and/or paperboard fromwhich the container can be produced is provided in terms of itscharacteristics. In order to provide a secure package, it is preferredthat the container be made from calipers not lower than 0.008, and forflexibility and manageability, as well as cost, that it be made fromcalipers not exceeding 0.028. The following types of paperboard and thecalipers for each type can be used in manufacturing the containers ofthe invention.

Board Group:

Qualities Bases and/or Calipers Lineboard 25#, 33#, 38#, 42#, 69# MSFSBS C1S (L, M, R, Density) 0.008/0.010/0.012/0.014/0.015/up to 0.030CCNB/CCKB/CCWB 0.012/up to .040 White Lined NB/WB 0.012/up to .040ChipBoard 0.012/up to .040 Pasted Chipboard 0.012/up to .040

Cover Grades:

Qualities Bases and/or Calipers Uncoated Cover 60#, 65#, 80# C1S Cover0.008/0.010/0.012 C2S Cover 0.008/0.010.0.012 KK1S (Kromekote)0.006/0.008/0.010/0.012 KK2S (Kromekote) 0.006/0.008/0.010/0.012

Index Grades:

Qualities Bases and/or Calipers White/Colors 90#, 110#, 140#

Vellum Bristol Grades:

Qualities Bases and/or Calipers White/Colors 56#, 67#, 80#, 100#, 120#,140#

Based on experimental testing, the longest time that a cigaretteremained burning after closing the slide was 5 seconds. With the slideleft open, the longest time before extinguishment was 8 seconds. In thelatter case, it appears that the tight position of the cigarette insidethe narrow channel of the slide contributes to the relatively rapidextinguishing of the burning tobacco.

These tests indicate that it is not necessary to use any chemical orfireproofing agents on the inside of the slide drawer because the lackof oxygen prevents the temperature of the construction materials fromreaching their ignition temperature.

With the slide either closed or open, the temperature on the outside ofthe slide drawer or case never reaches a temperature that could burnhuman skin. However, cardboard covered with a thin layer of foil can beused for aesthetic reasons and to substantially eliminate the risk ofignition under unusual or extreme circumstances not presentlycontemplated.

Although a number of illustrative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed, other variations and modifications will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art from this description, and the scope of itsprotection is to be determined with reference to the claims that follow.

1. A container for receiving and extinguishing lighted cigarettescomprising: a. a retaining case formed of lightweight paperboard thatdefines a rectilinear volume; and b. a drawer formed of light-weightpaperboard that is slidingly received in an open end of the case, thedrawer having a bottom and upstanding side walls and an end closure, andat least one longitudinal channel dimensioned to receive a cigarette inclose-fitting relation, the drawer being contained in, and surrounded bythe sleeve in close-fitting relation in the closed position.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1 that has a plurality of channels defined by one ormore longitudinal dividing members that are fixedly positioned andparallel to the sidewalls.
 3. The container of claim 2 in which each ofthe one or more dividing members is formed with two walls joined along afold line.
 4. The container of claim 3 in which the drawer has onedividing member that is parallel to, and extends between the side walls.5. The container of claim 1 in which at least one channel is defined bydividing members formed with spaced-apart walls joined by a top wall. 6.The container of claim 1 in which the side walls of the drawer extendslightly above a cigarette positioned in a channel.
 7. The container ofclaim 1 in which the at least one dividing member is the same height asthe sidewalls of the drawer.
 8. The container of claim 1 in which theside walls of the channels are cut along one or more transverse lines tothereby permit the bottom wall of the drawer to be manually flexed bythe user when the drawer is withdrawn from the sleeve.
 9. The containerof claim 1 in which the movement of the drawer relative to the case islimited by the engagement of stops.
 10. The container of claim 9 inwhich the stops are formed in the bottom of the drawer and the adjacentsurface of the case.
 11. The container of claim 9 in which the stops arein the form of a projecting tab movable along a fold line and a matingrecess formed by a folding tab in the opposing surface.
 12. Thecontainer of claim 9 in which the stops are in the form of projectingtabs that are predisposed to project along a fold line towards theopposing sliding surface of the drawer and case, respectively, wherebythe projecting tabs engage each other to resist further movement in onedirection and disengage to permit free movement in the oppositedirection.
 13. The container of claim 8 in which a plurality of stopsare provided to limit relative movement in both opening and closing thecontainer.
 14. The container of claim 1 in which either or both of thedrawer and case include metallic foil-coated surfaces.
 15. The containerof claim 1 in which some or all of the surfaces that are contacted by acigarette include a foil-coating.
 16. The container of claim 1 in whichthe drawer is at least as long as a cigarette.
 17. The container ofclaim 1 which is attached to the side panel of a package of twentycigarettes and where the opposing larger panels of the container are thesame size as a panel of the cigarette package to which the container isattached.
 18. The container of claim 17 which is releasably attached tothe cigarette package.
 19. The container of claim 1 which is at least inpart constructed from a blank from which a flip-top cigarette box isalso constructed and the cigarette box and the container case share acommon wall.
 20. A container for receiving and extinguishing lightedcigarettes that is formed of lightweight paperboard comprising: a. arectilinear flip-top box generally constructed in the manner of acigarette package in which the top portion is joined along a fold lineto the rear wall and is movable to permit easy access to the interior ofthe box; and b. a drawer that is slidingly received by the box inclose-fitting relation and completely contained in the box when the topof the box is closed, the drawer having a bottom and upstanding side andend walls, and at least one longitudinal dividing member that is fixedlypositioned and parallel to the sidewalls to thereby define adjacentchannels dimensioned to receive a cigarette in close-fittingside-by-side relation, the drawer being contained in, and surrounded bythe sleeve in close-fitting relation in the closed position.